The percentage of Americans without health insurance has hit a second consecutive five-year low, falling to 15.9 percent according to a Gallup telephone survey of over 28,000 adults. The uninsured rate has been declining since the end of 2013, likely thanks to the opening of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) health insurance marketplaces.

The rate has dropped for almost every major demographic group and for all age groups except for those aged 65 and older, who typically have Medicare. The uninsurance rates for lower-income people and African-Americans have dropped the most. Americans with an annual income of less than $36,000 have seen their rates drop by 2.8 percentage points to 27.9 percent since fourth quarter of 2013, and African-Americans’ rates have dropped by 2.6 points to 18.3 percent. Hispanics are still the group most likely to be uninsured, with a current rate of 37.9 percent.

The ACA has helped over 4.2 million Americans obtain the health insurance they need to be able to take care of themselves and their families. It has especially made it easier for women to obtain affordable, quality health care coverage that fits their needs. For example, it guarantees that plans cover FDA-approved contraceptives without co-pays or deductibles, cancer screenings, domestic violence counseling, and well women exams, as well as maternal care, mental health care, and pediatric services – among many others. It also does not allow insurance policies to charge women more simply because of their gender.